Tangent 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Edna Valley Paragon Vineyard

This bright white wine was surprising at the first sip, although it’s not the classic-style Sauvignon Blanc I usually favor. This very pretty wine offers notes of sweet melon and pink grapefruit nicely balanced by nuances of tropical notes and grass. This is an excellent quaffer on its own. With food, I suggest pairing it with milder dishes like chicken in salads with goat cheese, cranberries, and toasted nuts, or grilled sea bass with mango and red pepper salsa. Available at the Baileyana tasting room on Orcutt Road, it’s a very good value at only $13 retail.